by Cynthia Tavares

Created on: October 15, 2009   Last Updated: October 19, 2009

The setting: A car dealership.

The subject: A 2008 Dodge Charger SRT8 (a $46,000 vehicle).

The Sales manager: A white woman in her early 30's.

The customer: A black male in his early 20's.

These two individuals are engaging in general chit chat, as the Sales manager gathers his credit information in order to pull his credit history. *Tap tap tap* she inputs his information. In only a matter of seconds after she presses the "transmit" button, it becomes evident that the chosen vehicle is too much for him to afford.

"We have got a problem Chuck" she says to him.

"What do you mean? " he asks

"Well, Chuck, according to your credit report, we need to find you a different vehicle" She states.

Chuck responds "I don't want another vehicle. I want THIS vehicle".

"See, here's the deal. Your credit history does not support a loan of this magnitude...." she begins, but is rudely interrupted.

"Oh......I get it. It's because I'm black! A black man can't have a nice vehicle. Hey EVERYBODY! (he yells to other customers on the showroom floor) THIS WHITE woman doesn't want to sell a BLACK MAN a vehicle!".

This Sales manager just so happens to be a seasoned pro, at being accused of being racist in the car business.

"No Sir. It has nothing to do with your skin color. It DOES have everything to do with the fact that your credit score is in the low 400's. It has everything to do with the fact that you took down Little Cesars Pizza for $22, Wal-mart for $48, Cingular Wireless for $249, and Grocery Outlet for $76! The race card is a dog that won't hunt, in my office Sir."

Chuck began "I don't expect for you to know what it's like. You aren't black. These creditor KNOW when you are black and they won't even give you a chance to pay your bill. They send you right to collection agencies...."

She replied " Is that what you tell yourself, to justify not paying someone? You think that is how you are going to "Fight the man?" by not paying them?. You think that "You are gonna show them!" The bottom line Chuck, is your credit history shows that you are incapable of repaying debt. Let me ask you a question: If you have a history of not repaying small, menial amounts like $22, and $48, why should a bank trust you with a car payment that will be $785 every month for the next 84 months?"

Chuck responds: "Like I said, you don't know what it's like to be black. People hate on you, creditors want you to fail and at the end of the day, you're still black".

"Oh please Chuck! Stop your pity party.

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